Trying Another Farrier

Yesterday I went to check Jay, and could hear his glue-on shoe clicking before we got two steps.  I pulled up his bell boot to find that 5 tabs had come unglued.  Ugh.  So I hosed it clean, dried it off as best I could, wiped the hoof and tabs down with alcohol, and used super glue to glue the tabs back on.  For good measure I added a diaper and duct tape over that!

I had already decided to try a different farrier, but was just not sure when since since Jay's lameness seemed to be evening out some, and I hated have that glue-on shoe removed if it would actually work.  This situation has made it clear that I want/need to pursue another opinion and different options now.

The farrier who arranges the case studies for Davie County Large Animal Hospital (DCLAH) did decide that Jay sounded like a good candidate for a case study, but this month's meeting is already booked full, so it would be July before Jay could get in there.  I really hope that we can get something resolved before then!  So then I had to decide whether to go through a vet at DCLAH to get in with one of the clinic farriers, who are VERY good, or go another route.  If I went with them, I do not know if either of the clinic farriers would then keep shoeing Jay as his regular farrier, but I don't think they would.  The farrier I spoke with there also did not know of anyone to recommend who he thought would come to me.

I have been corresponding with a farrier who responded to my post on NC Horse News.  She is a Certified Level II Proper Balanced Horse Trimmer, and did her apprenticeship under an AFA Certified Journeyman II Farrier.  She does not use traditional keg shoes, though, and that was one of my reservations because I am not familiar with the Hoof-It composite shoes she uses.  After doing some research and talking with her further, though, I think they are worth a try. This farrier is VERY convinced that Hoof-It shoes are just that much better for the horse.  They have a wide web, and she says they are more flexible and shock absorbing than traditional shoes, and give more support.  They don't rely solely on the hoof wall to hold up the entire horse;  the sole, bars, and frog share in the weight bearing, which allows better circulation in the hoof and ultimately better growth.  It is also possible to nail or glue them on, or use a combination of the two.  She also says they pull off less easily at the heel because they will bend instead of pull, they have good traction, and they can be rasped to a custom fit.  Add ALL of that up, and they sound like they may be exactly what Jay needs right now.  She has also got some Equi-Cast on hand, and I think Jay may need that too right now.  

This farrier says that she usually takes about an hour just trimming the horse because she wants to watch them move and see how they are responding.  She says that she just can't bring herself to do a 20 minute trim just to try to undercut the competition, because the horses (and her reputation) are just too important to her.  If her work and these shoes work out for Jay, she is also willing to travel to me, which will be nice!